Strip processor



y 1965 D. A. TURNER 3,192,753

STRIP PROCESSOR Filed June 8, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. DOUGLAS A.TURNER BY WJW ATTORNEY y 1955 D. A. TURNER 3,192,753

STRIP PROCESSOR Filed June 8, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.2

INVENTOR.

DOUGLAS A. TURNER ATTORNEY .D. A. TURNER STRIP PROCESSOR July 6, 1965 5Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 8, 1962 INVENTOR. DOUGLAS A. TURNER ATTORNEY mQI y 6, 1965 D. A. TURNER 3,192,753

STRIP PROCESSOR Filed June 8, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG.4

INVENTOR. DOUGLAS A. TURNER ATTORNEY y 1965 D. A. TURNER 3,192,753

STRIP PROCESSOR Filed June 8, 1962 s Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. DOUGLAS A.TURNER ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,12,753 STRIP PRQESOR Douglas A.Turner, R0. Box 224, Salem, Ohio Filed .l'nne 8, 1962, Ser. No. 213L15916 Claims. (ill. '72128) This invention relates to a processor for metalstrip and more particularly to a processor for Working extremely thingauge steel strip so as to improve the grain structure thereof anddesirably condition the surface thereof.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of an improvedstrip processor in which thin gauge metal strip is passed aroundoppositely disposed vertically offset rollers of very small diameter.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a thin metal stripprocessor capable of leveling the surface of thin gauge metal strippassed therethrough.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a thin metalstrip processor capable of preparing the strip for a subsequent tinplating operation.

It is known in the art that the uncoiling of metal strip generallyresults in the formation in the strip of transverse shadow marks whichare actually minute fissures sometimes called coil breaks which tend tooccur as the strip is uncoiled and led into a tangently extending pathdue to the tendency of the strip to retain its curved shape. Inuncoiling ferrous metal strip of extremely thin gauge such as is nowbeing made for continuous tin plate lines to produce container stock,the strip processors and roller levelers heretofore known in the art forworking the strip to prevent the occurrence of coil breaks and the likebecome incapable of suitably Working the extremely thin gauge metal dueto the inability of the rollers in the processors to sufficiently flexand work the strip stock. It is well known that strip stock must beworked as by flexing or bending it to near the limits of its elasticityand then subjecting it to roller levelers to produce the desiredmetallurgical changes in the strip stock and to suitably condition thesurface thereof. The methods and apparatus heretofore proposed for thehandling of strip stock have been satisfactory for the relativelythicker gauges of strip stock such as heretofore produced and generallyused for tin plate stock. Such apparatus and methods have proven to beincapable of suitably processing the extremely thin gauge strip stocknow being produced for tin plating to compete with non-ferrous metalcontainer stock. 7

The present invention relates to apparatus capable of applyingsufficient, but not excessive, longitudinal tension to the metal stripbeing processed and simultaneously working and/ or flexing the same overa plurality of working rolls of extremely small diameter so as to flexthe metal and impart a desirable roller level or action thereto. Theapparatus disclosed herein accomplishes the objectives of the inventionby utilizing a plurality of closely spaced extremely small diameterworking rolls so that passing the metal strip therebetween when rollsare arranged in a vertically ofiset superimposed relation to one anotherresults in the desirable working and roller leveling of the stockdespite its extremely thin gauge as its relative thickness and flexingaround the small diameter rolls accomplishes the desired objects.

A further object of the invention is therefore the pro 3,l@2,?53Patented July 6, i965 ice vision of a strip processor in which aplurality of vertically offset superimposed small diameter rolls aresupported and driven in predetermined relationship to one another toform a desirable tortuous passageway therebetween for the strip stockbeing processed.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a stripprocessor incorporating a plurality of oppositely disposed staggeredworking rolls of very small diameter and incorporating means forpositioning said rolls in a desired pattern and relation and meansrotating the same while providing a moving backup means for the rolls.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a metalstrip processor of the cold working type wherein continuous thin metalbelts move in spaced parallel relation between the opposed surfaces ofspaced parallel platens and serve as backup and tensioning means for apluralityof vertically offset oppositely disposed longitudinallyextending leveler rolls defining a pass line for metal striptherebetween.

It will occur to those skilled in the art that the strip processor asdisclosed herein is particularly suitable for processing ferrous metalstrip of very thin gauge and whereby the thin gauge ferrous strip isimparted a uniform metallurgical grain structure and a particularlydesirable uniform level surface suitable for subsequent tin plating, sothat the strip can then be subjected to die forming and/or roll forming.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being the intention to cover all changes andmodifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for purposesof the disclosure, which do not constitute departures from the spiritand scope of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front eleva-tional view of the thin gauge strip processorwith parts broken away and parts in cross section. 7

FIGURE 2 is a side eleva-tional view showing the inlet end of the stripprocessor.

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the strip processor with parts brokenaway.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged detail with parts broken away and parts in crosssection and taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a cross section on line 55 of FIG- URE 4.

By referring to the drawings and FIGURES 1, Z and 3 in particular, itwill be seen that a strip processor for processing extremely thin gaugeferrous metal strip has been disclosed and which comprises a pair ofspaced vertically positioned end frames 10 and 11 of inverted U-shapehaving horizontally disposed base members 12, 12 and 13, 13 respectivelyon their lowermost ends. The end frames 1% and 11 have verticallydisposed tubular journals 14 and 15 respectively on their uppermostportions and an interconnecting horizontally disposed rod 16 ispositioned therebetween and secured thereto as best seen in FIGURES 2and 3 of the drawings. Threaded rods 17 and 13 respectively are disposedin the journals l4 and 15 and nuts 19, 19 and 20, 20 are engaged on thethreaded rods 17 and 18 respectively above and below the ends of thejournals and adjustably position the rods 17 and 18 relative to the endframes and 11. An aperture in the lower end of the rod 18 receives a pin21 which in turn engages a clevis 22 having an aperture engaged over aprojecting member 23 formed on the upper portion of a side plate 24 andarranged to support the same. The threaded rod 17 has its lower endengaged in a fitting 25 which is attached to the upper end of asecondary side plate 26 which is a substantial duplicate of the sideplate 24, as best seen in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, and which ispositioned in oppositely disposed spaced relation thereto. The sideplates 24 and 26 have horizontally aligned pulley receiving formationstherein as best seen in FIGURE 1 of the drawings and wherein annularretainers 27 and 28 secured to the side plates 24 and 26 respectivelyform journals for the ends of a horizontally disposed elongated pulley29. A secondary elongated pulley 30 is disposed on the same horizontallevel and in spaced relation with respect to the pulley 29 and has itsends journalled in bearing blocks 31 which in turn are slidably mountedin recessed openings 32 in the side plates 24 and 26 respectively asbest seen in FIGURE 1 of the drawings. The bearing blocks 31 includeannular retainers 33 which like the annular retainers 27 and 28heretofore referred to include seals in their constructions so thatlubricant can be retained thereby. The bearing blocks 31 are urgedoutwardly of the recessed openings 32 by spring and rod assemblieslocated on the front and rear of the strip processor as best seen inFIGURE 1 of the drawings. By referring thereto, it will be observed thatan outwardly extending aperturedbracket 34 is provided on the side plate24 and a sleeve 35 is positioned therethrough and adjustably securedthereto. A rod 36 is positioned through the sleeve 35 and arranged sothat one end thereof engages the bearing block 31. An apertured disc 37is secured to the rod 36 and a collar 38 is positioned on the rod 36 andin abutting relation to one end of the sleeve 35. A coil spring 39 isdisposed between the apertured disc 37 and the collar 38 so that the rod36 is urged toward the bearing block 31 thereby. A duplicate assembly islocated on the rear side of the machine so that the ends of the pulley30 in the building block 31 are uniformly 'tensioned and urged away fromthe pulley 29. An endless belt 40 of suitable material such as stainlesssteel is trained over the pulleys 29 and 30 as bestseen in FIG- URES 4and 5 of the drawings and is tensioned by the apparatus just described.

Each of the side plates 24. and 26 have an outwardly extendinghorizontally disposed flange 41 which is apertured so that bolts 42 maybe positioned therethrough and an elongated pin block 43 is attachedthereto and is suspended in the area below the flange 41. The pin block43 has a plurality of transverse openings adjacent its lowermost edge inwhich a plurality of pins 44, 44 are received and in alignment therewitha plurality V of threaded openings 45 are formed and adapted to receiveset screws 46, 46 and nuts 47, 47. Thus, the pins 44, 44 may be movedlongitudinally by the set screws 46. The inner ends of the pins haveprojecting points 48, 48 thereon which in turn are engaged in therecessed ends of work rolls 49, 49 are specifically in the end portions50, 50 thereof which are of reduced diameter as best shown in FIGURE 4of the drawings. Thework rolls 49, 49 are sections of small diameterhard steel round rods and they are positioned in engagement with thelower surface of the endless belt 40 as best seen in FIG- URE 5 of thedrawings. In order that the endless belt 40 may be held in engagementwith the plurality of Work rolls 49, 49, a hollow platen 51, which maybe liquid cooled, is positioned between the side plates 24 and 26 andsecured thereto by bolts 52, 52 and extends the full width of theprocessor in the area between the side plates 24 and 26 andsubstantially fills the area between the pulleys 29 and 30. The bottomof the hollow platen 51 is flat with the exception of its longitudinallower edges which are tapered as at 53 (see FIGURE 5). It will thus beseen that the side plates 24 and 26 support and retain the pulleys 29and 30 in tensioned relation to one another and that the pulleys 29 and30 in turn support and position the endless stainless steel belt 40 indesirable position with respect to the hollow platen 51 and with theupper surface of the lower portion of the belt 40 in engagement with thebottom of the platen 51, while the lower surface of the belt 40 isdirectly engaged on the plurality of rolls 49, 49.

7 By referring again to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, it will be seenthat secondary bases 54 and 55 are positioned between the base members12, 12 and 13, 13 and may be connected thereto if so desired. A pair ofhorizontally spaced vertically positioned secondary side plates 56 and57 are formed integrally with the bases 54 and 55 respectively and arecomparable otherwise with the side plates 24 and 26 heretofore referredto and which are located thereabove. The secondary side plates 56 and 57have retainers 58 on one of their ends and recessed openings 59 in theiropposite ends with bearing blocks 60 disposed in the recessed openings59, the retainers 58 and the bearing blocks 60 mount a pair of secondaryelongated pulleys 61 and 62 in horizontally spaced relation to oneanother and extending between the respective secondary side plates 56and 57. Duplicate tensioning assemblies are provided for urging thesecondary pulleys 61 and 62 away from one another and comprise secondarybrackets 63 secured to the secondary side plates 56 and 57 respectively.A sleeve 64 is positioned in each of the brackets 63 and a rod 65 ispositioned through the sleeve 64 and extends to a point of engagementwith the blocks 60. Secondary apertured discs 66 are secured to the rods65 and a secondary collar 67 is positioned on the rod 65 and a secondarycoil spring 68 is positioned therebetween around the rod 65. An endlessbelt 69 preferably formed of stainless steel is trained over thesecondary pulleys 61 and 62 as best seen in FIGURES 4 and 5 of thedrawings and a secondary hollow platen 70 having a flat upper surfacewith tapered edges 71, 71 is positioned between the sec-.

ondary side plates 56 and 57 and attached thereto by bolts 72, 72. Eachof the secondary side plates 56 and 57 have outturned horizontal flanges73 respectively and secondary pin blocks 74 are attached thereto bybolts 74A. {the secondary pin blocks 74 have a plurality of openings intheir uppermost surfaces and receive and locate a plurality of secondarypins 75, 75 which are adjustably positioned with respect to longitudinalmovement by set screws 76, 76 positioned through threaded apertures 77in portions of the pin blocks 74. Lock nuts 78 secure the set screws 76as will be understood by those skilled in the art. The opposite ends ofthe secondary pins 75, 75 have points 79, 79 which are engaged inrecessed ends 80 of a plurality of secondary work rollers 81, 81. Theend portions 80 of the secondary work rollers 81 are of reduced diameteras best seen'in FIG- URE 4 of the drawings. Rubber sleeves 82, 82 and83, 83 are positioned on the end portions 50, 50 and 80, 80 respectivelyof the work rolls 49, 49 and secondary Work rolls 81, 81 respectively asbest illustrated in FIG- URE 4. The outer surfaces of the rubber sleeves82, 82 and 83, 83 engage the opposed surfaces of the stainless steelbelts 40 and 69 respectively. It will be seen that a pass line iscreated between the work rolls 49, 49 and 81, 81 intermediate the endsthereof, and that in FIGURE 4 of the drawings a broken line indicatesthe pass line.

In order that the upper assembly of work rolls 49, 49 and theirsupporting and moving structure may be held level and adjustable withrespect to the plurality of secondary work rolls 81, 81 structure forsuch purpose is provided and comprises a pair of I-beams 84 and 35positioned transversely of the frames 14 and 11 and secured thereto attheir opposite ends. A structural member 86 is positioned above theelongated pulleys 29 and and the hollow platen 51 and adjustablysupported at its sides by elongated set screws 87 and 88 respectivelythreaded through orifices therein and engaged on the upper surfaces ofthe l-beams 84- and respectively. The member 86 has its front and backedges engaged on upper horizontal flanges formed on the inner opposedsides of the side plates 2 and 26 respectively as best seen in FIGURESl, '2 and 3 of the drawings. In such position the member 85 will beelevated when the adjustment screws 17 and 18 are moved upwardly and atwhich time the adjustment screws 37 and 88 are moved downwardly and willtherefore operate to hold the side plates 24 and 26 and their workrollers supporting assemblies in desired horiozntal relation as well asin desirable spaced relation to the secondary work rolls 81, 81.

By referring now to FIGURES 2 and 3 of the drawings, it will be observedthat the elongated pulley 29 which is journalled in the retainers 27 and28 respectively is pro vided with an extending axial shaft 89 which iskeyed to a gear wheel 90 while the elongated secondary pulley 61 whichis journalled in the retainers 58 is provided with an elongated axialshaft 91 which is keyed in a secondary gear wheel 92 and that the gearwheels 0 and 92 are of appropriate diameters so that they are in meshwith one another. Means for driving the gear wheels 90 and 92 comprisesa pinion 93 in mesh with the gear wheels 92 and which in turn is drivenby a drive shaft 94 on a com bination motor and gear reducer unit 95.The rotary motion imparted the elongated pulleys 2i and 61 willtherefore move the stainless steel belts 4t) and 69 respectively in thedirection shown by the arrows in FIGURE 5 of the drawings. it will beobserved that the adjacent parallel portions of the belts 4t and 69,immediately above and below the pass line of the processor as shown, arepositioned directly against the platens 51 and '70 respectively andagainst the work rolls 49, 49, and 81, 81 respectively which arerevolved thereby due to the frictional engagement of the rubber sleeves82 and 83 on the ends thereof.

It will thus be seen that a strip processor has been disclosed thatprovides uniquely arranged groups of extremely small dimeter work rollsand wherein the rolls of each group are arranged in aligned horizontallyspaced relation, with the work rolls in one group being verticallyoifset from the rolls of the other group and defining a suitable passline therebetween for the working and surface conditioning of very thingauge metal strip passed therebetween. The small diameter of each of thework rolls is such that the very thin gauge metal strip is suitablyflexed and its surface suitably leveled so that it may run through acontinuous tin plating line and receive and retain a uniform tin plate.

It will also occur to those skilled in the art that the novel means ofdriving the plurality of small diameter work rolls insures theirindividual working relative to the thin gauge strip being processed andit will be obvious that subsequent or secondary groups of working rollslike those disclosed herein may be arranged in a strip processor anddriven by the same endless stainless steel belts thereby enabling asecondary stage of working or leveling to be accomplished in the sameprocessor with the same drive means.

It will thus be seen that a strip processor for cold working andimparting a desirable surface to thin gauge metal strip in accordancewith the several objects of the invention has been disclosed and havingthus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a strip processor for conditioning metal strip including a framehaving an entry end and an exit end, two pairs of pin blocks supportedin vertically and horizontally spaced relation on each side of saidframe defining a pathway th rebetween for said strip extending from theentry end to the exit end of said frame, a series of pins mounted inaligned spaced relationship in each of said blocks, the pins in eachpair of said pin blocks being vertically offset from one another, twoseries of work rolls positioned between the pins on one side of saidframe and the pins on the other side of said frame and having their endsengaged by said pins and extending transversely above and below saidpathway for said strip in vertically offset relation, and power drivingmeans for said work rolls comprising two pairs of pulleys rotatablysupported in said frame, each of said pairs of pulleys being on a commonhorizontal plane, said pairs of pulleys being spaced vertically relativeto one another, and endless belts trained over said pulleys and meansfor tensioning said belts, platens supported in vertically spacedrelation in said frame between the pulleys of each of said pairs ofpulleys, a portion of one of said belts being positioned between one ofsaid platens and one of said series of work rolls and a portion of theother one of said belts 7 being positioned between the other one of saidplatens and the other one of said series of work rolls.

2. The strip processor set forth in claim 1 and wherein the means fortensioning said belts comprise spring urged devices urging the pulleysof each of said pair of pulleys away from one another.

3. The strip processor set forth in claim 1 and wherein said Work rollsare of very small diameter and positioned in each of said series inclosely spaced horizontal relation to one another and wherein bothseries of rolls are closely positioned relative to one another to form atortuous pathway therebetween.

i. The strip processor set forth in claim 1 and wherein said platens arehollow to receive coolants and serve as back up means for said workrollers.

5. The strip processor set forth in claim 1 and wherein said frameincludes separate vertically spaced pairs of side plates and wherein oneof said pairs of pulleys is mounted in one of said separate pairs ofside plates and the other of said pairs of pulleys is mounted in theother pair of said separate pair of side plates and wherein one of saidpairs of side plates is adjustable vertically relative to the other.

6. The strip processor set forth in claim 1 and wherein the opposite endportions of each of said Work rolls are of smaller diameter than theintermediate portions of said work rolls and wherein resilient sleevesare positioned on said smaller diameter end portions for frictionallyengaging said belts so as to insure rotation of said work rolls thereby.

'7. In a strip processor for conditioning thin metal strip including aframe having an entry end and an exit end, two pairs of pulleysrotatably supported in said frame, each pair of pulleys being verticallyspaced with respect to the other, platens positioned between the pulleysof each of said pairs thereof, said platens having vertically spacedoppositely disposed horizontal integral surfaces, endless beltspositioned one over each of said pair of pulleys, with horizontalportions of each of said belts positioned in abutting relation to saidhorizontal integral surfaces of said platens and movable relativethereta, two series of small diameter work rolls positioned between saidabutting horizontal portions of said beltsiiiid extending transverselyof said processor in vertically offset relation and defining a tortuouspathway therebetween for said metal strip and means for driving one ofeach of said pairs of pulleys to impart opposite directional movement tosaid belts so as to drive one series of work rolls in clockwise axialrevolving motion and the other series of rolls in counter clockwiseaxial revolving motion, and means on said frame positioning said rollsrelative thereto while permitting rotation thereof.

8. The strip processor set forth in claim 7 and wherein the means on theframe positioning the work rollers comprises four series of pins,holders for each of said series of pins and wherein said pins arearranged to be adjustable References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATESPATENTS 5/35 Talbot 153-1 06 11/36 Nieman 15354 Maussnest 15 3106CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner.

NEDWIN BERGER, Examiner.

1. IN A STRIP PROCESSOR FOR CONDITIONING METAL STRIP INCLUDING A FRAMEHAVING AN ENTRY END AN EXIT END, TWO PAIRS OF PIN BLOCKS SUPPORTED INVERTICALLY AND HORIZONTALLY SPACED RELATION ON EACH SIDE OF SAID FRAMEDEFINING A PATHWAY THEREBETWEEN FOR SAID STRIP EXTENDING FROM THE ENTRYEND TO THE EXIT END OF SAID FRAME, A SERIES OF PINS MOUNTED IN ALIGNEDSPACED RELATIONSHIP IN EACH OF SAID BLOCKS, THE PINS IN EACH PAIR OFSAID PIN BLOCKS BEING VERTICALLY OFFSET FROM ONE ANOTHER, TWO SRIES OFWORK ROLLS POSITIONED BETWEEN THE PINS ON ONE SIDE OF SAID FRAME AND THETHE PINS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID FRAME AND HAVING THEIR ENDS ENGAGEDBY SAID PINS AND EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY ABOVE AND BELOW SAID PATHWAY FORSAID STRIP IN VERTICALLY OFFSET RELATION, AND POWER DRIVING MEANS FORSAID WORK ROLLS COMPRISING TWO PAIRS OF PULLEYS ROTABLY SUPPORTED INSAID FRAME, ACH OF SAID PAIRS OF PULLEYS BEING ONA COMMON HORIZONTALPLANE, SAID PAIRS OF PULLEYS BEING SPACED VERTICALLY RELATIVE TO ONEANOTHER, AND ENDLESS BELTS TRAINED OVER SAID PULLEYS AND MEANS FORTENSIONING SAID BELTS, PLATENS SUPPORTED IN VERTICALLY SPACED RELATIONIN SAID FRAME BETWEEN THE THE PULLRYS OF EACH SAID PAIRS OF PULLEYS, APORTION OF ONE OF SAID BELTS BEING POSITIONED BETWEEN ONE OF SAIDPLATENS AND ONE OF SAID BELTS WORK ROLLS AND A PORTION OF THE OTHER ONEOF SAID NBE BEING POSITIONED BETWEEN THE OTHER ONE OF SAID PLATENS ANDOTHER ONE SAID SERIES OF WORK ROLLS.